be quiet! Shadow Rock TF 2 160W TDP CPU Cooler | Intel Compatible 775 / 115x / 1200/1366 / 2011(-3) Square ILM / 2066 | AMD Compatible AM2 / AM3 / AM4 / FM1 / FM2 | Black | BK003

Summary PROS -Completely silent at low loads, reasonably quiet at max fan speed -5 to 10 degree Celsius improvement over stock AMD Wraith Stealth cooler (for Ryzen 5 3600) -Relatively easy installation -Well packaged -All required tools and mounting hardware included - even a screwdriver -You can add another fan if you really wanted to -No clearance issues with I/O shield or tall RAM -Minimal aesthetics CONS -AMD mounting instructions could use refinement and diagrams that don't show the Intel bracket -Easily bent fins -Fan doesn't have sleeved cables NEUTRAL -Very tall - check your case clearance before buying -One color option -No RGB option I purchased this cooler to replace the stock Wraith Stealth cooler that came with my Ryzen 5 3600. While the stock cooler offers good enough performance for daily use and gaming, its high-pitched noise and small fan size gave it a very intrusive acoustic profile (translation: loud and annoying). In looking for a CPU cooler, I wanted a unit with high acoustical efficiency - the quietest possible unit that could still keep my CPU at reasonable temperatures that wouldn't cause throttling under normal loads (so under ~80 degrees Celsius). I had high hopes for the be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 cooler based on reviews, and I have to say it met and even exceeded all expectations. With the same fan curve from my stock cooler, it is completely silent under everyday use (60% PWM at idle/low-load temperatures) and dropped idle temps by around 5-10 degrees Celsius. When gaming, I can't hear it over my GPU fans (EVGA GeForce 1660 Super), and my CPU maintains the advertised boost clock. Even if I manually turn up the fans to the fastest speed, it's still reasonably quiet and is low pitched enough as to not be intrusive. be quiet! includes mounting hardware for a second fan should you want to do a push-pull setup, but I honestly can't see why you would unless you were seriously pushing a higher-end CPU For $50, the only real complaints I have are that there aren't other color options (e.g.: all black or all white) or RGB options, and the AMD mounting instructions need refinement. The instructions tell you how to attach the mounting bracket to the motherboard, but then proceeds to show an Intel bracket when telling you how to mount the tower cooler. Additionally, the instructions tell you to mount the cooler on top of the CPU before putting on the screws and screwing them in. If you follow that step, as I did, you'll find that there is no room to squeeze the screws in under the large tower and will end up having to take the cooler off first, which is frustrating.

Brian · 2020-06-27 · via amazon

I’ve been using this cooler since 2019. First for an R5 3600, and now a R5 5800X3D. Installation is a little unusual- it comes with a supplied very long screwdriver that you will need to install one of the three mounting screws. The screwdriver is a nice addition and magnetic. Props to be quiet on that. Getting that screw in the right place before you use said screwdriver is the tricky part. Might take a few tries. Mounting system is otherwise easy. Fan is barely audible through the case at full power. I only notice it because of how silent it is all the rest of the time. The 190W TDP on this is far too optimistic, if you use Intel/AMD TDP values. This has no issues cooling my 65W 3600 - temps maxed at 87C, no throttling. The 140W 5800X3D is a different story. The CPU hits a 90C limit and doesn’t use full clocks or power. That requires Cinebench or Prime95. For gaming loads this cooler should be fine for everything except the most power-hungry CPUs. If you buy a $600 CPU, get a water cooler. For all-core workloads this should be fine for 65W processors; for above that get a watercooler or except reduced performance.

Erik Thomas · 2023-01-21 · via amazon

I upgraded all my fans on my home machine to "be quiet" fans and have used many of their products over the years. 4 years in on an AMD 3950X and this does better than a lot of air coolers that cost a lot more and also the big thing, I have installed several of these and never had a problem with ram clearance on ANY full atx board amd or intel and that's a big thing. No RGB but you cant see this machine anyway since I have to have a full metal case so I didn't want it and could care less. To me pc's should not be seen or heard. Changed all the case fans over from stock to the "be quiet" fans and most of the time you wouldn't know its running and that was the goal. I have also used their cases which are just as wonderful. If your not looking for flashing lights you cant get much better for the money and the heatsink itself is extremely well built and designed. Cools better and faster than most of the typical stand up radiator coolers out there and is capable of twins in a push-pull but you wont need it. If your an extreme over-clocker then your looking at water anyway and wouldn't want this but for a tame high end machine this will surprise you. As always DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST AND KNOW WHAT YOU NEED AND HOW YOU PLAN TO USE YOUR MACHINE. No device made will work well if you don't understand what your needs are first.

John W. · 2023-03-09 · via amazon

The heatsink does not come with the Intel Lga1700 socket mounting hardware. I had to provide customer service with proof of purchase so they would send a set of brackets to mount it. Once mounted it is doing a great job. With the stock cooler I was getting temps up to 80c when running Cinebench23 in a loop. Once I installed the Be Quiet Shadow Rock 3 my temps went down to 58c. Its well worth the time and effort to replace the stock cooler. I got the brushed aluminum with blacked out top base model. I liked the utilitarian look of it. Reminded me of an old yamaha 125cc 2 stroke engine cylinder. It's basically inaudible.

Nelson Mitchell III · 2022-03-27 · via amazon

Had to send it back. the box clearly lists other socket CPUs but not LGA1700. Did not install it or hear how quiet it may be. did get a Nactua for my gen 12 i7 and am very happy with it. it is silent and high cooling capacity, great construction and compact

Frederick Gilmore · 2022-06-17 · via amazon

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VALUE SCORE

Price

$20

Price

$20